Wardrobe Staples: Jackets

The KonMari method seems to be everybody’s plan of attack for 2019 after Marie Kondo’s book and now Netflix series, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. I have yet to see the series (but I did read the book when it was new) and don’t plan on completing an entire overhaul of my wardrobe and life but I understand why people want to do it now in January. Clean house, clean closet, clear mind, I totally get it.

As I’m sure a number of you are participating in the KonMari challenge, I want to leave you with only the best options so you can have fewer better things. So here’s the plan! For the next few weeks I’ll be going through some wardrobe staples and highlighting the best of the best. One budget buy, one splurge, and why they are worth the space in your closet. Let’s dive right in, shall we?

Wardrobe Staples: Jackets

There are three jackets that I would consider a must-have in my and any woman’s wardrobe. A trench coat, a denim jacket, and a wool camel coat. You can find all three at both save and splurge pricing but whenever possible, I’d recommend saving up and opting for a higher quality coat. Especially if you want it to do a good job in keeping you warm, a mid to higher range quality coat will almost always trump a budget option.

Trench Coat

A trench coat is the ideal coat for fall and spring. Since it is generally considered a raincoat, it’s ideal for transitional seasons or all year round if you live in Seattle 😉 It’s considered a timeless classic coat and can be worn with just about any outfit, which makes it a great coat for traveling (given the proper weather).

See more ways to style your trench coat here

Splurge: Burberry (It’s the creme de la creme option when it comes to trench coats. Is it worth the hundreds of dollars you’ll have to save? Personally, I’d say yes. I have my grandmother’s old one from the 70’s and it is still in great condition even though it has traveled the world and been worn continuously by three people for years. If you don’t want to spend top dollar and still have one of the iconic Burberry trench coats, you can often find them second hand on sites like Tradsey, eBay, or at local high end consignment stores)

Save: J.Crew (This is a very similar version to the trench coat that I have. It holds up very well to travel and regular use. If you see any of my travel posts, I’m almost always wearing it. However, it’s not totally waterproof, which is a major factor for me. Many styles aren’t so that is something to keep in mind while shopping for your trench coat).

Denim Jacket

It’s the perfect Americana jacket that I love to wear all summer long. It’s another timeless classic that can be thrown on with any summer outfit or tied around your waist just in case. Here in Seattle, it’s a summer staple but if you live in warmer weather you can probably get away wearing one nearly all year long.

See more ways to style your denim jacket here

Splurge: Nordstrom (I’ve had this jacket for years and I’m pretty sure that it was secondhand when I got it and it is still holding up perfectly. I love everything about it from the fit to the wash color. It’s just roomy enough to be a third layer on a chilly summer night over a tee and a sweater without looking or feeling bulky.)\

Save: Gap (Any company that is known for making denim is a great option for finding a denim jacket so for more affordable options, stores like the Gap tend to have a great selection. Depending on the color and fit that you prefer, consider shopping in the men’s section rather than feeling limited to the more fitted styles in the women’s section.)

Wool Camel Coat

This is my fall and winter city coat. It’s heavy enough to keep you warm in the fall and winter with the proper under layers without being a down puffer coat. I love my Land’s End woolen camel coat as it isn’t bulky at all even with heavy winter layers underneath. Plus it’s a chic alternative to anything down in the winter months.

See more ways to style your woolen winter coat here

SPLURGE: Land’s End (I can’t say enough good things about my Land’s End coat. This was another splurge item that I inherited from my grandmother and it is still in fantastic condition. I wore it all while I lived in New York and on days when the temperature dropped as low as 1 degree Fahrenheit.)

SAVE: J.Crew Factory (This cocoon coat is a best seller of theirs and is available in a variety of colors. You can often get it on sale which will bring the price down to around $100. J.Crew also has a heavier version of this coat on their full site which would be more of a splurge as it runs closer to $250 on sale but is made of heavier material.)

What are your must-have coats? Do you live in a parka or raincoat? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time,
Ana Luiza

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